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Pieterse E, Rother N, Garsen M, Hofstra JM, Satchell SC, Hoffmann M, Loeven MA, Knaapen HK, van der Heijden OWH, Berden JHM, Hilbrands LB, van der Vlag J. Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Drive Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2017; 37:1371-1379. [PMID: 28495931 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.117.309002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE An excessive release and impaired degradation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) leads to the continuous exposure of NETs to the endothelium in a variety of hematologic and autoimmune disorders, including lupus nephritis. This study aims to unravel the mechanisms through which NETs jeopardize vascular integrity. APPROACH AND RESULTS Microvascular and macrovascular endothelial cells were exposed to NETs, and subsequent effects on endothelial integrity and function were determined in vitro and in vivo. We found that endothelial cells have a limited capacity to internalize NETs via the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts. An overflow of the phagocytic capacity of endothelial cells for NETs resulted in the persistent extracellular presence of NETs, which rapidly altered endothelial cell-cell contacts and induced vascular leakage and transendothelial albumin passage through elastase-mediated proteolysis of the intercellular junction protein VE-cadherin. Furthermore, NET-associated elastase promoted the nuclear translocation of junctional β-catenin and induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cultured endothelial cells. In vivo, NETs could be identified in kidney samples of diseased MRL/lpr mice and patients with lupus nephritis, in whom the glomerular presence of NETs correlated with the severity of proteinuria and with glomerular endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that an excess of NETs exceeds the phagocytic capacity of endothelial cells for NETs and promotes vascular leakage and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition through the degradation of VE-cadherin and the subsequent activation of β-catenin signaling. Our data designate NET-associated elastase as a potential therapeutic target in the prevention of endothelial alterations in diseases characterized by aberrant NET release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elmar Pieterse
- From the Nephrology Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology (E.P., N.R., M.G., J.M.H., M.A.L., J.H.M.B., L.B.H., J.v.d.V.), Department of Rheumatology (H.K.K.), and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (O.W.H.v.d.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Academic Renal Unit, School of Clinical Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (S.C.S.); and Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (M.H.)
| | - Nils Rother
- From the Nephrology Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology (E.P., N.R., M.G., J.M.H., M.A.L., J.H.M.B., L.B.H., J.v.d.V.), Department of Rheumatology (H.K.K.), and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (O.W.H.v.d.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Academic Renal Unit, School of Clinical Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (S.C.S.); and Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (M.H.)
| | - Marjolein Garsen
- From the Nephrology Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology (E.P., N.R., M.G., J.M.H., M.A.L., J.H.M.B., L.B.H., J.v.d.V.), Department of Rheumatology (H.K.K.), and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (O.W.H.v.d.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Academic Renal Unit, School of Clinical Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (S.C.S.); and Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (M.H.)
| | - Julia M Hofstra
- From the Nephrology Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology (E.P., N.R., M.G., J.M.H., M.A.L., J.H.M.B., L.B.H., J.v.d.V.), Department of Rheumatology (H.K.K.), and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (O.W.H.v.d.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Academic Renal Unit, School of Clinical Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (S.C.S.); and Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (M.H.)
| | - Simon C Satchell
- From the Nephrology Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology (E.P., N.R., M.G., J.M.H., M.A.L., J.H.M.B., L.B.H., J.v.d.V.), Department of Rheumatology (H.K.K.), and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (O.W.H.v.d.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Academic Renal Unit, School of Clinical Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (S.C.S.); and Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (M.H.)
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- From the Nephrology Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology (E.P., N.R., M.G., J.M.H., M.A.L., J.H.M.B., L.B.H., J.v.d.V.), Department of Rheumatology (H.K.K.), and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (O.W.H.v.d.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Academic Renal Unit, School of Clinical Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (S.C.S.); and Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (M.H.)
| | - Markus A Loeven
- From the Nephrology Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology (E.P., N.R., M.G., J.M.H., M.A.L., J.H.M.B., L.B.H., J.v.d.V.), Department of Rheumatology (H.K.K.), and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (O.W.H.v.d.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Academic Renal Unit, School of Clinical Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (S.C.S.); and Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (M.H.)
| | - Hanneke K Knaapen
- From the Nephrology Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology (E.P., N.R., M.G., J.M.H., M.A.L., J.H.M.B., L.B.H., J.v.d.V.), Department of Rheumatology (H.K.K.), and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (O.W.H.v.d.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Academic Renal Unit, School of Clinical Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (S.C.S.); and Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (M.H.)
| | - Olivier W H van der Heijden
- From the Nephrology Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology (E.P., N.R., M.G., J.M.H., M.A.L., J.H.M.B., L.B.H., J.v.d.V.), Department of Rheumatology (H.K.K.), and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (O.W.H.v.d.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Academic Renal Unit, School of Clinical Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (S.C.S.); and Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (M.H.)
| | - Jo H M Berden
- From the Nephrology Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology (E.P., N.R., M.G., J.M.H., M.A.L., J.H.M.B., L.B.H., J.v.d.V.), Department of Rheumatology (H.K.K.), and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (O.W.H.v.d.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Academic Renal Unit, School of Clinical Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (S.C.S.); and Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (M.H.)
| | - Luuk B Hilbrands
- From the Nephrology Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology (E.P., N.R., M.G., J.M.H., M.A.L., J.H.M.B., L.B.H., J.v.d.V.), Department of Rheumatology (H.K.K.), and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (O.W.H.v.d.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Academic Renal Unit, School of Clinical Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (S.C.S.); and Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (M.H.)
| | - Johan van der Vlag
- From the Nephrology Research Laboratory, Department of Nephrology (E.P., N.R., M.G., J.M.H., M.A.L., J.H.M.B., L.B.H., J.v.d.V.), Department of Rheumatology (H.K.K.), and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology (O.W.H.v.d.H.), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Academic Renal Unit, School of Clinical Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom (S.C.S.); and Department of Internal Medicine 3, Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany (M.H.).
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Boström KI, Yao J, Guihard PJ, Blazquez-Medela AM, Yao Y. Endothelial-mesenchymal transition in atherosclerotic lesion calcification. Atherosclerosis 2016; 253:124-127. [PMID: 27615595 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2016.08.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Endothelial-mesenchymal transitions (EndMTs) in endothelial cells (ECs) contribute to vascular disease. METHODS We used ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet. RESULTS We reported evidence of EndMT in atherosclerotic lesions contributing to calcification. Stem cell and mesenchymal markers, including sex-determining region Y-box 2 (Sox2), were upregulated in aortic ECs of fat-fed ApoE-/- mice. Limiting Sox2 decreased marker expression and calcification in ApoE-/- aortas. Furthermore, a complex of serine proteases was upregulated in ApoE-/- aortic ECs. Blockade of these proteases reduced expression of Sox2 and atherosclerotic lesion calcification. CONCLUSIONS Together, our data suggest that EndMTs contribute to atherosclerotic lesion calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina I Boström
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA; The Molecular Biology Institute at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1570, USA.
| | - Jiayi Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
| | - Pierre J Guihard
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
| | - Ana M Blazquez-Medela
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA
| | - Yucheng Yao
- Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1679, USA; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Xu X, Tan X, Hulshoff MS, Wilhelmi T, Zeisberg M, Zeisberg EM. Hypoxia-induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition is associated with RASAL1 promoter hypermethylation in human coronary endothelial cells. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:1222-33. [PMID: 27012941 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is integral in chronic heart disease, and one of the cellular processes contributing to cardiac fibrosis is endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). We recently found that hypoxia efficiently induces human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) to undergo EndMT through a hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF1α)-dependent pathway. Promoter hypermethylation of Ras-Gap-like protein 1 (RASAL1) has also been recently associated with EndMT progression and cardiac fibrosis. Our findings suggest that HIF1α and transforming growth factor (TGF)/SMAD signalling pathways synergistically regulate hypoxia-induced EndMT through both DNMT3a-mediated hypermethylation of RASAL1 promoter and direct SNAIL induction. The findings indicate that multiple cascades may be activated simultaneously to mediate hypoxia-induced EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingbo Xu
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Xiaoying Tan
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Melanie S Hulshoff
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tim Wilhelmi
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michael Zeisberg
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Göttingen, Germany.,Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth M Zeisberg
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medical Center of Göttingen, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany.,German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Göttingen, Germany
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